David Vitter: The Formaldehyde Senator

Sunday, November 08, 2009
David Vitter

Paul Anastas, a Yale chemist and so-called father of green chemistry, is being prevented from taking over the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development because of opposition from Senator David Vitter (R-LA), who has been accused of doing the formaldehyde industry’s bidding. Many environmentalists expect Anastas, if confirmed, to lead EPA’s effort to establish safety standards for formaldehyde, which has been linked to causing leukemia.

 
Vitter has put a hold on Anastas’ confirmation, saying he wants the EPA to allow the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to conduct a two-year study on formaldehyde toxicity before issuing new standards. Environmentalists are opposed to this idea because they’re afraid the NAS study will be influenced by reports sponsored by chemical companies.
 
Vitter has accepted campaign contributions from formaldehyde emitters, including Dow Chemical, Monsanto, ExxonMobil, and the American Forest and Paper Association.
 
Formaldehyde contamination gained national attention when the chemical was linked to the health problems of Americans who lived in trailers provided by FEMA after they were displaced by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita in 2005. According to the Formaldehyde Council, formaldehyde is used in products as widespread as toothpaste, mascara, flooring, car parts, wrinkle-free clothing and dollar bills.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
 
IARC Confirms Link Between Formaldehyde and Leukemia (by Jennifer Sass, Natural Resources Defense Council)
Formaldehyde Politics Block Research Chief Joining EPA (by Rebecca Trager, Royal Society of Chemistry)

Comments

Ivan 14 years ago
Why is this prostitute-buying corrupt creature in the United States Senate? Impeach Vitter NOW!
jesse 14 years ago
KURT ENGRLHARDT: The Formaldehyde Judge The Senators relationship with the presiding Judge of the FEMA trailer litigation is intriguing. Englehardt chaired Vitter’s successful State campaign seats and was his campaign treasurer when then Rep. Vitter began pushing for Engelhardt’s Judgeship. Vitter has acquired the Louisiana’s 1st District House seat after Rep. Bob Livingston (R) announced retirement due to reports of extra-marital affairs in 1999. In 2001, the Committee on the Judiciary concluded hearings on the nomination of Kurt D. Engelhardt, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Mr. Engelhardt was introduced by Senators Breaux and Landrieu and Representative Vitter. The Center for Investigative Reporting describes the Judge’s Money Trails to the Federal Bench on page 5. http://www.centerforinvestigativereporting.org/files/MoneyTrails_KeyJudges.pdf

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